Ideal Vacation: Hotel or House Rental?

Every year, for the holidays you have to find an affordable hotel at a warm beachfront destination. But if you decide to do a family trip to Maui, where the hotels are really expensive you will start looking for alternatives. For example, various websites are offering vacation rental homes that allow you to find a place in your budget with more space than you ever imagined.

There are pros and cons to choosing a vacation rental home over a traditional hotel or resort and it's definitely not for everyone. But in most cases a vacation home will give you more space, having also kitchens with beautiful furniture and laundry facilities, and it is more economical than a high-end resort hotel. If the unit is part of a resort or condo complex, you may have the use of additional recreational facilities such as a swimming pool, hot tub or tennis courts. Depending on the rental, many include amenities such as beach towels, coolers, lawn chairs and boogie boards.

The longer you stay at the rental the cheaper the rate, and often times the renter may throw in a free night or some other incentive. The other obvious perk is the money you save on meals by doing some of the cooking yourself. House rentals can be booked directly over the internet through one of the many sites specializing in vacation rentals. They also provide pictures and details of the property and most are very quick to respond to any questions. Some sites provide the phone numbers of the owners, and it may be worth contacting them directly to try and negotiate a better rate.

There is a different feeling about staying in a rental home over a hotel. It allows you to imagine actually owning a villa on the beach in Barbados or some other luxury destination. You become intermingled with the local culture as you shop for groceries, visit neighborhood markets, or hang out at nearby cafes. If you've ever wanted to live like a millionaire, you can split the rent with a few friends and secure a luxury beach front villa that may otherwise run you millions of dollars to buy. Spend some time soaking up the sun and then go home to reality.